Evidence suggests that steric acid possesses a neuroprotective role in a Caenorhabditis elegans Parkinson’s Model.
Carnell , Lucinda; Thomas, Carin
Abstract
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a disruption of motor function caused by the degeneration of dopamine (DA) neurons. Evidence suggests that PD has both genetic and environmental contributors to pathogenesis and that the condition may be exacerbated or ameliorated by environmental factors. The soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has been developed as an in vivo model for PD, by the use of a transgenically modified strain, which overexpresses the human α-synuclein protein. Further, we previously developed a locomotory assay that enables the early detection of the dysfunction of the dopaminergic CEP neurons three days after hatching. Neuronal degeneration is not noticeable by fluorescent microscopy until day 7. We used this model to test the effects of a high saturated fat diet, of stearic acid. High saturated fat diets are believed to be associated with increased metabolism and stress. The worms were grown on agar plates containing steric acid and tested at day 3 for defects in dopaminergic function. Using this novel technique, we have generated data that suggest that transgenic Parkinson’s worms grown in the presence of stearic acid do not experience the α-synuclein induced loss of function of the dopamine neurons. To our surprise, these data suggest that a stearic fatty acid rich environment has neuroprotective effects on the animal’s dopaminergic CEP neurons.
This poster was withdrawn from SOURCE, 2014.
Evidence suggests that steric acid possesses a neuroprotective role in a Caenorhabditis elegans Parkinson’s Model.
SURC Ballroom C/D
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a disruption of motor function caused by the degeneration of dopamine (DA) neurons. Evidence suggests that PD has both genetic and environmental contributors to pathogenesis and that the condition may be exacerbated or ameliorated by environmental factors. The soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has been developed as an in vivo model for PD, by the use of a transgenically modified strain, which overexpresses the human α-synuclein protein. Further, we previously developed a locomotory assay that enables the early detection of the dysfunction of the dopaminergic CEP neurons three days after hatching. Neuronal degeneration is not noticeable by fluorescent microscopy until day 7. We used this model to test the effects of a high saturated fat diet, of stearic acid. High saturated fat diets are believed to be associated with increased metabolism and stress. The worms were grown on agar plates containing steric acid and tested at day 3 for defects in dopaminergic function. Using this novel technique, we have generated data that suggest that transgenic Parkinson’s worms grown in the presence of stearic acid do not experience the α-synuclein induced loss of function of the dopamine neurons. To our surprise, these data suggest that a stearic fatty acid rich environment has neuroprotective effects on the animal’s dopaminergic CEP neurons.
This poster was withdrawn from SOURCE, 2014.